The rumors of a new troll on the eastern span of the Bay Bridge apparently are true, with the sudden appearance of an actual photo of the odd fellow that captured him with a sledgehammer in his hand, ready to protect the bridge and serve as a good-luck token for all who cross.

Photo: Noah Berger, Metropolitan Transportation Comm

The rumors of a new troll on the eastern span of the Bay Bridge...

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The old troll, a 14-inch-tall iron sculpture created by artist and blacksmith Bill Roan, was put on the bridge by ironworkers.

The drama surrounding the opening of the Bay Bridge's new east span may be over, but the mystery enveloping the old bridge's favorite occupant - the troll that took up residence in 1989 - refuses to vanish.

Since Monday's opening of the span, rumors about the troll have flown about like the cormorants that live beneath the abandoned east span. Some reports say there's a new troll. Others say the old troll has been evicted from its home and will be relocated to the new span. Still more contend that the old troll will stay with the old bridge until the bitter end.

The troll, for those who haven't kept up with bridge developments, moved onto the Bay Bridge after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake shook the span until a section fell. When that slab of bridge deck was replaced, ironworkers attached a troll for good luck. The 14-inch-tall iron sculpture was created by artist and blacksmith Bill Roan, who worked in a studio near where the bridge slab was being made. The troll has a barrel chest, spindly legs and leans forward, clutching a rod or spear.

For many years, only a few ironworkers, Caltrans employees and nosy reporters were aware that the span had a squatter who could only be seen by boat. But, as construction of the new span progressed, the troll's presence was publicized and concern grew over his future once the original bridge was demolished.

The troll authority

Bay Bridge troll authority John Goodwin, a spokesman for the Bay Area Toll Authority, offered some answers - and more rumors - about the troll, the purported existence of a successor and their secretive whereabouts and uncertain futures.

According to Goodwin, the old troll was carefully and humanely extricated from his perch on the north side of the old eastern span on Labor Day. Some of those who lasted through all 14 speeches at Monday's dedication ceremony may have caught a glimpse of the old fellow, who was briefly introduced then stuck around to pose for pictures while most folks were scurrying to the toll plaza to see a former mayor play with a cutting torch and a chain.

The troll is being kept in an undisclosed location, but will likely find a permanent home in a future Bay Area transportation museum or a park or gathering place near the eastern landing of the Bay Bridge, said Randy Rentschler, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

The rumors of a new troll are true, Goodwin said. The new protector, in a photograph released by the Toll Authority, appears to be crafted of steel, is slimmer, stands upright and clutches a sledgehammer.

"A new troll appeared, as these things happen, on Labor Day, under the cover of darkness," Goodwin said, explaining that trolls are averse to sunlight.

The replacement, he said, "was placed in the custody of trusted guardians who can be counted on to make decisions that are in his best interest." Goodwin said the troll is rumored to be temporarily living in a secure location somewhere inside the span. Other sources, however, report that the troll has been placed for now beneath or on the side of the new bridge.

An August white paper, titled "For Whom the Troll Dwells: A Legendary Case for Supplemental Safety Measures on the New San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge East Span," suggested the surreptitious fabrication of a new troll.

Span safer than ever

"Following the Latin principle, Primum non nocere (First, do no harm), the Project Management Team further recommends that another troll statue be created to guard the Bay Bridge; installed on or near the new East Span, this new troll may provide a possible extra measure of safety for the new East Span itself, and for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians crossing the new bridge."

Goodwin said a search committee, whose membership is not publicly known, will choose a permanent home for the new troll. He said the location should be out of direct sunlight; at least partially visible "to those who seek him out" and probably situated within view of the bike and pedestrian path.

Wise bureaucrats might be advised to choose a location near the busted bolts that nearly prevented the $6.4 billion new east span from opening on Labor Day.